Balbriggan District Court heard several matters before Judge Dermot Dempsey. Catherine Smith pleaded guilty to theft of €213 worth of gardening items from a Tesco supermarket. The judge indicated he would apply the Probation Act if she makes a charitable contribution. Marek Laska pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of cannabis for sale or supply and possession of digital weighing scales. The judge applied the Probation Act, ordering him to attend HOPE and assist other drug users, avoiding a conviction. Linda Murphy pleaded guilty to stealing four blank cheques from her employers. The case was adjourned until September 11th to allow her to provide the remaining €160 in compensation, with a warning of a custodial sentence if unpaid. John Paul Fitzgerald pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of cannabis resin. He was convicted, fined €400, and ordered to destroy the drugs, with the judge warning he is close to a prison sentence. James Walsh, alleged to have cultivated cannabis plants, was remanded on continuing bail to re-appear on July 3rd for a plea or trial. Ann McGann was convicted of attempting to drive while intoxicated. She was disqualified from driving for three years and fined €300.
Balbriggan District Court heard several cases during its recent sittings. Richard Devine (21) had his case struck out after he admitted to assaulting Shane Christy and causing criminal damage to his car in Rush, Co Dublin on May 3rd, 2013. Devine, who was drunk at the time, paid €800 in compensation and completed 200 hours of voluntary work. Judge Dermot Dempsey accepted these actions and struck the case out. Pat Dwyer (60) pleaded guilty to driving while under the influence of alcohol at Miller's Lane in Skerries on December 22nd, 2013. He was fined €400 and disqualified from driving for three years. Eoin Maguire (29), Cornelius Price (32), and Edward Price (24) were remanded on continuing bail to re-appear before the court on July 17th when they are expected to be served with the Books of Evidence. They are charged with assault causing harm to Clifford Whitehouse and James Whitehouse, and production of a Stanley knife on December 20th, 2013. Cornelius Price and Edward Price are also charged with reckless endangerment of a garda at Balbriggan Garda Station on December 22nd, 2013. Thomas O'Donnell (24), Michael O'Brien (18), and Brian Stokes (21) were remanded on continuing bail for charges of unauthorized carriage in a car. Salius Peciulaitis (30) pleaded guilty to driving without insurance, driving while disqualified, and drink driving at Dublin Street in Balbriggan, as well as violent behaviour at Balbriggan Garda Station on February 22nd. He was given a four-month suspended sentence, disqualified from driving for six years, and fined €750. Neil Phipps (28) was remanded on continuing bail for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions regarding an alleged assault causing harm to Brian Cranny.
Philip Dunne, a 29‑year‑old wheelchair user, was convicted after a night of reckless driving and violent conduct. On 14 November 2013 he was driving a BMW 5‑series at excessive speed on Lower Main Street, Rush, lost control and crashed into a parking metre, causing €4,000 in damage. He threatened a good Samaritan, Patrick Butterly, and, when Gardaí arrived, threatened and attempted to strike them with his wheelchair. Dunne pleaded guilty to careless driving, criminal damage, threatening and abusive behaviour and Section 2 assault. A charge of failing to give a blood sample was struck out. Judge Dermot Dempsey fined him €300 for careless driving, €100 for assault, €100 for threatening behaviour, and disqualified him from driving for three months. He also paid €4,000 in compensation to Fingal County Council for the damage. The case was heard at Balbriggan District Court.
Balbriggan District Court heard several matters presided over by Judge Dermot Dempsey. The case against Debbie Whelan, 26, of Chieftain's Road, was withdrawn after the alleged injured party refused to co-operate with gardai. Whelan had been charged with the production of an article, namely a wheel brace, during an incident on July 8th, 2013. In a separate matter, Gillian O'Donnell, 38, was charged with unlawful possession of cannabis. Her case was adjourned until September 29th to Swords District Court. Adam Wal, 29, of Chapel Place, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and driving without insurance on August 24th last year. Judge Dempsey sentenced Wal to four months in prison, suspended for one year. He was also disqualified from driving for three years for the disqualified driving offence and a further four years for driving without insurance, in addition to a €750 fine. Joseph Cruise, 20, of Hazelstown in Rush, pleaded guilty to breaching a protection order on March 15th. The court heard he had been shouting for hours before arrest. Judge Dempsey convicted Cruise and fined him €100, fixing recognisance in the event of an appeal.
In a Balbriggan District Court hearing on 23 May 2014, Michail Timofejev, aged 23 and a resident of Thornlea in Rush, pleaded guilty to several offences. He was found in unauthorised possession of a CO2‑powered airgun, a 12‑gauge shotgun cartridge, and €10 of cannabis at his home on 4 October 2012. The court noted that he had no licence for the airgun or the cartridge, both classified as firearms under the Firearms Act. Timofejev, who has two prior convictions for drug sale and possession, had assisted the Gardaí during the search and was described as co‑operative. Judge Dermot Dempsey sentenced him to a six‑month suspended prison term, remanded him on a two‑year peace bond for the gun cartridge, fined him €400 for the airgun and €200 for the cannabis. The judge recorded no evidence of any sinister intent regarding the airgun or ammunition, which Timofejev claimed were for target practice.
In Balbriggan District Court on 8 May 2014, Andrew Gosson, aged 24, pleaded guilty to threatening and abusive behaviour on 17 December 2013 and again on 16 January 2013 while driving on the M1. He had one prior road‑traffic conviction. Defence solicitor Fiona D'Arcy said he was under severe pressure from a gambling problem and was not working at the time. Judge Patrick Clyne declined to fine him, noting he was better off feeding his children, and bound him to a peace bond for one year. Separately, 87‑year‑old Michael Murphy was remanded on continuing bail in his absence to appear on 5 June after being charged with dangerous driving on 16 November 2013. Finally, 39‑year‑old William O'Gorman was remanded on continuing bail to re‑appear on 26 June after being charged with robbery, assault and possession of a screwdriver outside St Peter's and Paul's Church on 11 April 2014.
Marek Laska, a 27‑year‑old university student, was found in possession of 260 g of cannabis, a digital weighing scale and a scoop, items that indicated he was involved in the sale or supply of drugs. He had previously pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of cannabis for sale or supply and a digital weighing scale at a house on Main Street in Rush on 6 October 2011. Garda Gerrit Durnin reported that the drugs were found in Laska's bedroom and that the total street value was €3,079. Laska initially claimed the drugs were for his own use and did not accept responsibility for the charge of possession for sale or supply. The Restorative Justice Programme reported that he did not accept that charge. In the Balbriggan District Court, Judge Dermot Dempsey heard that Laska now accepts the charge and the opportunity offered by the programme.
Balbriggan District Court heard several pre-trial matters before Judge Dermot Dempsey. Edwin Akandu, 45, is charged with driving without insurance. His solicitor stated he is a named driver on his partner's policy, but she refuses to provide the certificate. The Judge ordered Chill Insurance to furnish the document to Garda Keith Horgan, warning of a warrant for non-compliance, and adjourned the case until May 22nd. Michelle Ferris, 38, is alleged to have drink driven, failed to wear a seat belt, and driven without a licence. Following receipt of disclosure, she was remanded on continuing bail to appear before Swords District Court on June 9th. Joseph Cruise, 20, is alleged to have breached a protection order. He was remanded on continuing bail to re-appear before Balbriggan District Court on May 16th. Stephen Teeling is charged with unlawful possession of cannabis. The Judge granted a disclosure order and remanded him on continuing bail to return on April 24th for a plea or hearing date. Gavin Deegan, 24, is also charged with unlawful possession of cannabis. He was remanded on continuing bail to re-appear before the court on April 24th. All defendants are currently at the charge or pre-trial stage, with no pleas entered or findings made.
In a Balbriggan District Court hearing on 6 March 2014, a 21‑year‑old chef from Skerries, Richard Devine, pleaded guilty to assaulting a man named Shane Christy and causing criminal damage to Christy's car. The incident occurred on 3 May 2013 outside a Chinese takeaway in Rush, Co. Dublin, when Devine, allegedly intoxicated, approached Christy's Nissan Micra, headbutted and punched him, and then kicked the car door, resulting in €800 worth of damage. Christy suffered minor nose injuries. Devine, with no prior convictions, admitted the offence and sent an apology letter. Judge Dermot Dempsey warned that to avoid a conviction, Devine must pay compensation to Christy and complete 200 hours of voluntary work. The case was adjourned to 29 May for further proceedings.
In Balbriggan District Court, Philip Dunne (28) of Woodland Court, Rush, faced charges of failing to give a blood sample, criminal damage, and dangerous driving on November 14th. His case was adjourned until March 27th following a disclosure order request by his solicitor, Fiona Darcy. Aaron Conway (20) of Aghaneen Park, Dundalk, pleaded guilty to possession of counterfeit cigarettes for sale without excise duty. His case was struck out after he made a €300 charitable donation to Balbriggan St Vincent De Paul Society. Mark Duignam (37) of Palmer Court, Rush, had his four-month suspended sentence activated after breaching bail conditions. He was previously convicted in May 2013 for theft of €57 worth of groceries from Supervalu in Lusk. Judge Coughlan sentenced him to four months in prison. Noel Orange (30) of Reynoldstown, The Naul, was charged with refusing to give a blood sample on January 31st. His case was adjourned for hearing, with a remand on continuing bail to appear before Swords District Court on March 10th. William O'Gorman (39) of Baron's Hall House, Balbriggan, was charged with theft of a track suit top from St Vincent de Paul on February 14th. His case was remanded on continuing bail until March 28th, with free legal aid granted. Balbriggan Sunday Market was an applicant in a case involving possession of counterfeit cigarettes for sale without excise duty and refusal to give a blood sample, with charges admitted and a guilty plea.
Swords District Court sentenced five defendants at the sentencing stage. Nerijus Dumbris pleaded guilty to drink driving and dangerous driving; he was sentenced to four months in prison, fined €250, and disqualified from driving for three years for drink driving and five years for dangerous driving. Florin Amarrii pleaded guilty to theft; he was convicted, fined €100, and ordered to pay €30 expenses to the security officer. Ciara Tynan pleaded guilty to theft and intoxicated, threatening, and abusive behaviour; she received a four-month suspended sentence, was placed on a one-year Peace Bond, ordered to stay away from the injured party, and fined €100. Aidan McDonnell pleaded guilty to failing to comply with garda direction and pushing a garda; he was convicted and fined €350. Daniel Betley pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of pepper spray; he was ordered to complete 200 hours of community service in lieu of a two-month prison sentence. All matters were finalised with sentences imposed.
Balbriggan District Court heard a number of cases on various charges. David El Masri (32) of Prospect in Balbriggan, Co Dublin pleaded guilty to custody or control of equipment designed for making copies of work on October 14th, 2013 at his home address, and 10 charges of copying movies for sale or supply on the same date, namely Invictus, Avatar, Old Dogs, Body of Lies, Informant, Invention of Lying, Grown Ups, Marmaduke, Wall-E and Four Christmases. He also pleaded guilty to the theft of ten PlayStation games valued at €603 from Tesco Xpress at Millfield in Balbriggan on November 28th. The matter was adjourned until March 6th. Montes Parulea (20) of Birchwood Heights, Springfield Tallaght pleaded guilty to the theft of ten PlayStation games and was handed 240 hours community service work in lieu of a two month prison sentence. Christopher Russell (53) of Brookford Lane in Rush pleaded not guilty to assault and using threatening and abusive behaviour at Upper Main Street in Rush on August 22nd. The matter was adjourned until March 28th. Paul Boylan (35) of Minster's Road in Lusk was remanded on continuing bail until March 27th. Benjamin Whitehouse and Oliver Whitehouse (both 36) were remanded on continuing bail until March 13th. Martin Coughlan (30) of Gurteen Road in Ballyfermot was remanded on continuing bail until March 6th. Nicholas Keane (36) of Bremore, Castlegate in Balbriggan was adjourned until April 10th. Martin Maughan (30) of St McCullin's in Balbriggan pleaded guilty to refusing to give gardai his name and address on November 20th, 2012 at Pinewood Green Close and was fined €200.
Ursula Shannon (30), a Trinity College graduate and prominent member of socialist republican group Eirigi, and her co-accused John McGreal (37) were found guilty of the possession of two handguns and 32 rounds of ammunition at Tullybeg, Rahan, Co Offaly on November 27th, 2012. They had not challenged any of the evidence in the case and had pleaded not guilty to the unlawful possession of one 9mm parabellum calibre Taurus PT92 semi-automatic pistol, one magazine suitable for use with the Taurus PT92 pistol, one 9mm parabellum calibre Walther P5 semi-automatic pistol and one ZGJY branded combined stun gun and flashlight. They had also pleaded not guilty to the possession of 25 rounds of 9mm ammunition and 7 rounds of 9mm ammunition. The court heard that the accused were wearing wigs and disguises when they were intercepted by armed gardai outside a residential premises which also doubled as a business for a licensed firearms seller. CCTV footage of the interception of the stolen van they were travelling in was played to the court. The prosecution invited the court to infer that the people in the van were there to rob the shop and steal the firearms on the premises. The court heard evidence that interviews were conducted with the accused where Sections 18, 19 and 19A of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 as amended by the Criminal Justice Act 2007 were invoked. The sections allow a judge or jury to draw inferences from an accused's failure or refusal to account for an object, substance or mark, or any mark on such object, or failure to account for their presence at a particular place. The judge or jury may treat this as corroborative of other evidence against the accused. There was evidence that John McGreal remained silent when questions were put to him where the sections were invoked in interview, while Shannon and Brady answered 'no comment' when questions were put to them. Presiding judge Mr Justice Paul Butler said the court was satisfied beyond doubt that each of the accused was in possession of the items referred to in the indictment. He said the court was also satisfied that the failure of the accused to respond to questions in interview where the sections were invoked entitled the court to draw inferences in each case corroborating the evidence of possession. By reason of this, Mr Justice Butler said the court found the three accused guilty of the offences with which they were charged. Co-accused Colin Brady (24), who was granted bail but did avail of it, was remanded in custody. Ursula Shannon and John McGreal were remanded on continuing bail following the judgement of the Special Criminal Court today and will be sentenced at a later date.
The prosecution case has concluded in the non-jury trial of Ursula Shannon, John McGreal, and Colin Brady, who are charged with the possession of two handguns and 32 rounds of ammunition at Tullybeg, Rahan, Co Offaly, on November 27, 2012. The three defendants, aged 30, 37, and 24 respectively, each pleaded not guilty to these charges, as well as to the unlawful possession of a 9mm Taurus PT92 pistol, a 9mm Walther P5 pistol, a ZGJY stun gun, and additional 9mm ammunition. A fourth co-accused, John Troy, pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of the same firearms and stun gun; he will be sentenced at a later date. Evidence presented indicated the accused were wearing wigs and disguises when intercepted by armed gardai outside a firearms dealer. The prosecution alleged the group intended to rob the shop, an accusation the accused did not challenge during cross-examination. Mr Justice Butler remanded McGreal and Shannon on continuing bail until February 12, when the case will be listed for judgement. Mr Justice Butler remanded Brady in custody with consent to bail until that date.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 30 January 2014, Ursula Shannon (30), a Trinity College graduate and member of the socialist republican group Eirigi, together with John McGreal (37) and Colin Brady (24), were charged with the unlawful possession of two handguns and 32 rounds of ammunition. Each pleaded not guilty to possession of a 9mm Taurus PT92 pistol, a suitable magazine, a 9mm Walther P5 pistol, a ZGJY stun gun‑flashlight, 25 rounds of 9mm ammunition and 7 rounds of 9mm ammunition. John Troy (33) pleaded guilty to possession of the same firearms and stun gun. The court heard that the four were intercepted in a white Opel van at Tullybeg, Rahan, Co Offaly on 27 November 2012, where they were found wearing wigs, disguises and multiple layers of clothing. The prosecution alleged the van was used for a planned robbery of a licensed firearm shop. The case remains ongoing.
In Balbriggan District Court, Barry O'Brien (47) of St Catherine's Green in Rush pleaded guilty to being in possession of a knife with a 12-inch blade at St Catherine's Park on August 1st. He was placed on a Probation Bond for one year with conditions set by Probation Services. Tomas Tarasevicius (29) of No Fixed Abode and Paulius Taracvius (33) of McAuley's Yard, Flemington in Balbriggan were remanded on bail to re-appear on February 13th when the Book of Evidence will be served. Tarasevicius faces four counts of handling stolen property, being in possession of stolen cars, and criminal damage. Taracvius is charged with possession of a stolen Audi car. Jade Gannon (30) of Mourne Park in Skerries was remanded until January 23rd after her defence solicitor explained that she could not attend court due to her children attending counselling following the murder of her father in front of her daughter. The case was adjourned pending a letter from the counsellor. A man charged with assault causing harm was remanded on continuing bail until March 13th to allow a judge to consider jurisdiction on receipt of a medical report. A Chinese takeaway owner was convicted of employing three foreign nationals without work permits and fined €1,500.
At Balbriggan District Court, Judge Dermot Dempsey addressed several matters. Marek Laska, 27, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of cannabis for sale or supply and possession of digital weighing scales. Although Laska claimed the drugs were for personal use, the judge noted the scales were indicative of supply. Laska was remanded on continuing bail, and the case was adjourned until April 10th for a Restorative Justice Programme report. In a separate matter, the National Education Welfare Board reported that an unnamed teenager is making positive progress in school attendance. The judge adjourned the case until February 20th for review. Additionally, Sean Donnelly, 24, and Craig Donnelly, 22, pleaded guilty to being intoxicated and using threatening and abusive behaviour. Both men paid €350 to local charities, and the judge struck out the charges, avoiding convictions. Finally, Keith Blackburn, 52, was remanded on continuing bail after being charged with violent behaviour and failing to comply with garda directions. His case was adjourned until January 9th for a plea or hearing date.
Four defendants appeared before Balbriggan District Court, presided over by Judge Dermot Dempsey, where all matters were adjourned. Alan Bathe, 29, is charged with criminal damage, unauthorised carriage in a vehicle, and arson, allegedly involving a car crash into a garden wall and subsequent fire in Balbriggan. The Director of Public Prosecutions directed summary disposal, and the case was adjourned until January 30th. Thomas Ward, 43, pleaded guilty to inducing a woman to pay €280 for a non-existing product. Despite a previous compensation order, Ward presented only €250. The judge granted him one final opportunity to pay the balance, adjourning the matter until February 6th. Christopher Russell, 53, pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and threatening and abusive behaviour in Rush. A medical report was requested, and the case was adjourned for hearing on February 13th. Daniel O'Neill, 20, is charged with trespass, threatening and abusive behaviour, violent behaviour, and possession of a rock at Swords Garda Station. He was remanded on continuing bail and ordered to re-appear at Swords District Court on March 3rd.
Arvis Jakobsons, 26, of Swords, pleaded guilty to criminal damage after smashing the front and bathroom doors of his ex‑partner's house on Main Street, Rush. Gardaí were called when the ex‑partner reported the intrusion. The damage was estimated at €400. Judge Dermot Dempsey demanded Jakobsons pay for the repairs, which he did by contributing €250 in court. After the payment, the charge was struck out. Separately, Stephen O'Shaughnessy, 23, of Stamullen, pleaded guilty to trespass, theft of alcohol, and handling stolen property. He was remanded on continuing bail, required to pay €426 in compensation, and was ordered to appear again on 28 February 2014. Finally, Niall Byrne, 31, of Balbriggan, was disqualified from driving for four years and fined €500 after Garda Derek Dalton seized his car for lacking insurance and tax, following a prior two‑year disqualification in 2012. All proceedings were held at Balbriggan District Court.
In Balbriggan District Court, Judge Dermot Dempsey ordered the return of a jeep to Brendan Dempsey after Dempsey sold the vehicle online to a man named 'Wayne' who paid with a fraudulent bank draft. Dempsey had accepted the draft in good faith and later discovered it was fake. A second buyer, Alan Downey, had purchased the jeep from Wayne for €8,750 in cash, believing the sale legitimate. Both Dempsey and Downey requested the jeep's return. The court noted Dempsey had originally bought the jeep in 2006 for €87,000 and had listed it for sale on DoneDeal.ie. Downey had conducted checks and was unaware of the draft's falsity. Judge Dempsey ruled the jeep be returned to Dempsey, emphasizing the unfortunate nature of the situation. No further legal actions were mentioned.
A Trinity College graduate, Ursula Shannon, and three men – Colin Brady (23), John Troy (33), and John McGreal (36) – are to be arraigned in the Special Criminal Court after the summer recess. They are charged with unlawful possession of two handguns, 32 rounds of ammunition, and a stun gun, all found at Tullybeg, Rahan, Co Offaly on 27 November 2012. The firearms include a 9mm Taurus PT92 pistol, its magazine, a 9mm Walther P5 pistol, and a ZGJY stun gun/flashlight. They also possess 25 rounds of 9mm ammunition and 7 additional rounds. Troy and McGreal face an additional charge of membership in an unlawful organisation, the Irish Republican Army (IRA). All four were granted bail by the non‑jury Special Criminal Court in December, though Brady did not take his bail. The court will set an arraignment date for 8 October in the new term.
A Trinity College graduate, Ursula Shannon, and three men – Colin Brady, John Troy, and John McGreal – are charged with the unlawful possession of two handguns, 32 rounds of ammunition, a stun gun, and additional ammunition. The weapons include a 9mm Taurus PT92 pistol, a compatible magazine, a 9mm Walther P5 pistol, and a ZGJY stun gun/flashlight. They also face charges for possessing 25 rounds of 9mm ammunition and 7 rounds of 9mm ammunition. Troy and McGreal are additionally charged with membership in an unlawful organisation, the Irish Republican Army (IRA). The group was found at Tullybeg, Rahan, Co Offaly on 27 November 2012. All four were granted bail by the Special Criminal Court in December, except Brady who did not take bail. The court set an arraignment for 8 October 2013.